Respecterrehttps://respecterre.com/?lang=en
Vêtements Écologiques | Eco-Friendly ApparelFri, 11 May 2018 18:44:46 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.6https://respecterre.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/logo-boutique-détaille60.pngRespecterrehttps://respecterre.com/?lang=en
32325 Habits to Responsibly Buy your Clotheshttps://respecterre.com/5-habits-to-responsibly-buy-your-clothes/?lang=en
Tue, 01 May 2018 22:11:30 +0000https://respecterre.com/5-habits-to-responsibly-buy-your-clothes/Last week was the FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK (April 23 to 29) and Earth Day (April 22). In this spirit of fair trade and sustainability, we take this opportunity to remind ourselves of good habits to buy our clothes responsibly. Some practices that we do not always think about, but that can make a big difference in the end

]]>Last week was the FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK (April 23 to 29) and Earth Day (April 22). In this spirit of fair trade and sustainability, we take this opportunity to remind ourselves of good habits to buy our clothes responsibly. Some practices that we do not always think about, but that can make a big difference in the end.

1. Repair

It is often forgotten, but the most responsible way to buy is sometimes not to. If you wear your clothes longer, you can reducing your consumption. And the best thing to do for the environment is, without a doubt, to decrease consumption. Make the effort to mend your own clothes or have them repaired by a seamstress. You won’t need to buy new ones.

Getting in the habit of repairing our clothes may seem inconsequential, but small things that make a big difference. Above all, it changes our perspective on the need to consume. Even if, sometimes, it is only an excuse to continue wearing our favourite old clothes :).

2. Second-hand

Currently, there is far too much supply of second-hand clothing compared to the demand. There are more and more donations because more consumption. People are no longer buying out of necessity because the prices of new fast fashion items are almost equivalent. Developing countries no longer want our surplus of old clothes. There is just too much.

Making a habit of going to a thrift shop to give a second life to an orphaned clothing gives the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone (this expression is horrible, don’t kill birds). On one hand, we reuse a garment intended to be sent to a landfill. On the other hand, it reduces the consumption of new clothing and, by the same token, the supply of second-hand clothing.

3. Composition label

Representation label possible locations

According to the Textile Labelling Act, all textile products must be identified with the help of a representation label (also called a composition label)

Most of the time, this label is inside the garment. Either in a seam, on the side inside the garment (1) or at the collar, in the back (2). It contains very relevant information on the fibre content (percentage), the country where the product was made and the care of the garment. Also, if there is a certification for the product, for example Oeko-tex 100, it will be mentioned in there or on another nearby label.

Forming the habit of always looking at the composition label is a must to make an informed choice.

4. Know your priorities

The clothing industry is complex. In many different stages of production (fibre culture, fibre processing, fabric dyeing, clothing assembly) environmental and human rights (or animals) can be flouted.

Having a garment 100% free of synthetic fibres, certified organic, certified fair and dyed naturally is very rare. Most of the time, companies make compromise to get to a reasonable final price. We have to know our priorities to make a choice aligned with our values.

About the author Ugo Dutil: I grew up at the ecovillage “La Cite Ecologique” from 1 to 11. I decided to go back and live there when I was 25 years old. I like this way of life that allows us to prioritize human relationships over material possessions. I’ve been working with Respecterre since 2013. Minimalism and responsible consumption, especially in textiles, fascinate me.

]]>Refibra™, circular economy of the future ?https://respecterre.com/circular-economy-of-the-future/?lang=en
Thu, 01 Feb 2018 21:37:20 +0000https://respecterre.com/?p=2257I was visiting Lenzing’s website, the company that makes the Tencel® fiber (which we often call Eucalyptus) — if you do not know about Tencel®, it is one of the most sustainable fiber, discover it in this short video — when I found out about something positive and inspiring … Refibra™ I wanted to do another […]

]]>I was visiting Lenzing’s website, the company that makes the Tencel® fiber (which we often call Eucalyptus) — if you do not know about Tencel®, it is one of the most sustainable fiber, discover it in this short video — when I found out about something positive and inspiring … Refibra

I wanted to do another article on the microplastic pollution related to synthetic fiber clothing. But I changed my mind. Even if it’s probably one of the biggest environmental issues we never hear about. On the other hand, it is also a very depressing subject.

I often wonder if it’s better to talk about problems and highlight the negative, or if we should focus on the positive, even if we don’t dive deep into details. I guess it takes a bit of both …

So, out of these 50 million tons of textile waste per year, what percentage of textile waste is 100% cotton? Cotton accounts for 30% of the world textile fiber market. But what percentage of clothing is 100% cotton (not a blend ex: Polyester 50%, cotton 50%)? According to Cotton Inc., 75% of men’s clothing and 40% of women’s clothing are made entirely of cotton (I have my doubts about these stats, which date back to 2011, but hey, that’s approximate). Assuming there’s half man, half woman … that would be 57.5%…

Thus, approximately 28.75 million tonnes / year (probably a bit less) of garment waste would be eligible to be recycled using Refibra.
However, this calculation does not include textiles used for other purposes: house furnishing, etc., and uses stats from 2011. But it gives an idea. It’s more than the 10-20% that I originally thought.

In addition, perhaps the recycling of clothing made with fiber blends could also soon be reality according to this article ?

Then, to make Refibra, the cotton waste is mixed with other woodchip to complete the cellulosic formula. What percentage of cotton is used and what percentage of woodchip? I have not been able to find this information.

Third reaction

This initiative has to get more attention! With only 2656 views (as of January 31, 2018), it is U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E that this very-easy-to-understand video has not been more watched and shared. So, I encourage you to invite your friends to watch this one. They’ll get a good dose of inspiration! Also, this could a fiber for the circular economy of the future !

In a word, recycling used clothes by dissolving them, it is a step in the right direction ! For a long time, companies have recycled cotton. Specifically, shred old clothes to make a fiber, a thread, a fabric and a new garment. But this includes some limitations : shorter fiber, more difficulty to spin, clothing that wears faster. Dissolving clothes to make a completely new fiber. This is next-level recycling.

The future…

On the same note, we have always been limited in our use of Tencel® at Respecterre. We have to buy large quantities that are sometimes difficult to sell. Recently, it’s with a smile on our face we learned that one of our fabric suppliers, Kendor, would soon offer a good variety of Tencel®-based fabrics blended with organic cotton (see the bottom of the page) !!! This will allow us to buy smaller quantities and offer more choices of color and fabric style. Stay tuned for more Tencel® products at Respecterre in the near future. And in a few years, perhaps some Refibra products !

About the author Ugo Dutil: I grew up at the ecovillage “La Cite Ecologique” from 1 to 11. I decided to go back and live there when I was 25 years old. I like this way of life that allows us to prioritize human relationships over material possessions. I’ve been working with Respecterre since 2013. Minimalism and responsible consumption, especially in textiles, fascinate me.

]]>How to Avoid Toxic Dyes in Your Clothing?https://respecterre.com/how-to-avoid-toxic-dyes-in-your-clothing/?lang=en
Tue, 21 Nov 2017 14:54:26 +0000https://respecterre.com/?p=2155The subject dyes is little discussed when considering sustainability and ecological footprint of a garment. We are more inclined to take into account the organic culture of the fibers, the transformation processes of these fibers or the conditions of the workers when it comes time to make a purchase. As a result, there are not many companies who are interested in putting the effort necessary to detail the dyes used on their clothing. It doesn't seem to be one of the most interesting sides for the public, and yet it should be.

]]>The subject dyes is little discussed when considering sustainability and ecological footprint of a garment. We are more inclined to take into account the organic culture of the fibers, the transformation processes of these fibers or the conditions of the workers when it comes time to make a purchase. As a result, there aren’t many companies who are interested in putting the effort necessary to detail the dyes used on their clothing. It doesn’t seem to be one of the most interesting subject for the public, and yet it should be.

There is no legal requirement to write the dyeing processes on the garment label, as it’s the case for fiber composition and country of manufacture1. But this step is crucial. It is increasingly pointed out as a great source of pollution not only when the garment is dyed at the factory, but also when it is washed in our domestic washing machines then poured out into our water treatment plants or septic tanks not well enough equipped2 to handle theseproducts.

The complexity of the subject is certainly the main obstacle to the understanding of the problem and the awareness of the public. There are many different dyeing processes 3 (reactive, acidic, dispersed, vat, …). In addition, some products may or may not be used in dyeing: mordants (to help with the quality and durability of coloring, colour fastness), wetting and dispersing agents (to help disperse and improve speed of the process). All this to finally give a cocktail that can be difficult to explain.

A bit of history

Like many aspects of the textile industry, synthetic dyes are a relatively new phenomenon. They were invented by mistake in the middle of the 19th century when a chemist created a purple dye from coal tar4. Synthetic dyes took over the market almost instantly in the late 19th century5. They were cheaper and more efficient than their alternative dyes made from plants or natural products.

What is a synthetic dye?

It is important to understand that a textile dye is a synthetic element derived from petroleum products. Although ideologically, it is not ideal to use products that come from the petrochemical industry, this does not seem to be the biggest problem related to dyes. Other products used in the dyeing process (mordant or wetting agent) are toxic products and should be the products to worry about. Paradoxically, toxic mordants can be used for natural dyes.

The problem

1. PLANT WASTEWATER

The most visually striking and often the most reported problem is the discharge of untreated (or even treated) wastewater from dyeing plants. It’s released directly into the environment and contaminates drinking water sources that humans and animals depend on. In most developed countries, laws are in place to regulate the treatment of factory water and the products used. On the other hand, this is not the case for most developing countries, which are now the largest clothing manufacturers.

In short, several studies have been conducted to conclude that water discharged by textile mills was toxic even if these waters were either treated in the plant and / or discharged into a water treatment system. There were still toxic residues after the treatment.
So we voted to force the textile mills to take tests, treat their wastewater and comply to not using a list of products7 considered toxic. Included on this list are Nonylphenol and its ethoxylates (Wetting agent better known as NPEs), Benzidine and benzidine dihydrochloride (known carcinogen), Formaldeyde, Benzene, Toluene diisocyanates, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate ). Mordants that contain heavy metals: Mercury, lead, chromium compounds, Inorganic cadmium compounds, Oxygenated, sulphidic and soluble inorganic nickel compounds.

Admittedly, it was a good job of our legislative system. Since the early 2000s, textile dyeing plants have been closely monitored and we have less to fear from water discharges in Canada. Annual reports on CEPA8 are available online. On the other hand, the implementation of this law coincided with the massive export of clothing manufacturers to developing countries and China. Of the 145 textile dyeing plants operating in Canada in 19992 (58% of which were in Quebec), a handful9 remain.

2. CONTAMINATION BY DOMESTIC WASH

The problem persists because the majority of clothing sold in Canada is made (and dyed) in countries that do not have regulations like ours. So, not only do these textile dyeing plants release toxic water (which is now far from us, but that does not mean we shouldn’t worry about it), but we are still directly affected by these toxic products who are transported on the garments we buy. When those are washed in our domestic machines, either dye particles that have not completely reacted or mordant (heavy metals) or NPEs are released in our septic tanks and in our water treatment plants.

And that has not changed, our water treatment plants are still not able to completely eliminate NPEs. And even if it did, the mud waste from these factories is buried later.

As long as there are no rules for identifying dyeing processes on clothing composition labels. It will be impossible to prevent the importation of garments carrying toxic residues.

3. ABSORPTION THROUGH THE SKIN

It goes without saying that if the residues of the products are on the clothes, they are necessarily absorbed by the skin and go directly into our body. The products are no longer on the garment after a few washes (they have been transferred to our water treatment systems). But who wants to take this risk. Yet, we do it because we just don’t have the information. Well the information is there but few take the time to dig for it.

Eco-Friendly Dyes

When talking about eco-friendly dyeing, there is no quick fix. Even dyes based on natural dyes can be used with mordants that contain heavy metals10. Today, industrial suppliers that offer natural dyes no longer exist. One can dye some pieces of clothing with natural dyes personally, but to dye 500 meters of fabric rolls, there is no dyer who offers a natural alternative nowadays. At the industrial level, the best one can do is to used low environmental impact reactive dyes and focus on avoiding the heavy metals mordant and NPEs. But still synthetic dyes.

In our research we found only one company, in Canada, that offers handmade scarves that use with a natural dye: Infuse

And I know of only one company who use natural clay based dyes on a fair proportion their clothing. It’s Earth Creation based in Bessemer, Alabama, USA.

Maybe it will be something that will be developed by Respecterre in the future.

Solutions

It is good to highlight the problem, but what can we do to act now for our health for all and for our environment? Here are 3 tips to buy your clothes with the certainty that they do not contain toxic products.

It not easy to know if this is the case, as it is not a requirement of the Competition Bureau1 to have information on dyeing on the label of the garment. Take the time to ask the clothing brand. If these company see that there is a customer interest in this, they will be more interested in displaying this kind of information.

Something that is knitted in Canada has more chance of being dyed in Canada. Most of the time the dyeing process happens once the fabric is fully knitted or woven. Avoid products made abroad. They are necessarily dyed abroad. Caution, “Made in Canada” does not necessarily mean “Dyed in Canada”.

2. THE STANDARD 100 BY OEKO-TEX®

The OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 10011 is an independent system created in Switzerland in 1992 to detect harmful substances in textile products. Several laboratories around the world are part of this association can test the products to certify them without danger to health. The list of harmful substances12 in this system is very comprehensive. It tests: mordants of heavy metals (Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Nickel, Mercury), Phthalates, Benzenes and Chlorinated Tuolenes, Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs), Nonylphenol (NPEs) and several other harmful products.

So either a finished garment is certified OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 (there will be a label in the garment if it is, next to the composition label). Or, a fabric (or any other trim, button, zipper, etc) can be certified OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100. Currently, not many clothing are certified by the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100. Encourage your favorite brands to have their clothes tested for certification that they do not contain any toxic products!

3. NO DYE NATURAL COLOUR

Colours named “natural” are most often the original colour of the fiber and have not been dyed. It will look like an off white or light brown depending on the type of fiber. By getting this colour, it’s certain that there won’t be any toxic substance related to dyes. Simple but not universal.

4. SECOND HAND CLOTHES

As with many environmental problems related to clothing, buying second-hand clothes is one of the best ecological and economical solutions. It’s also the case to avoid harmful products. These, who were on the garment when new, were removed as it was washed during its first life. In addition we reduce the volume of clothing destined for the dump. And all that for an unbeatable price.

Conclusion

In closing what has certainly been the article that has required the most research on this blog, it is obvious that the subject of dyeing is complex and that the vast majority of consumers do not understand the full extent of the it. There is no simple and universal solution, but one way to make sure that the products you buy do not contain toxic products is to ask the company where the clothes are dyed and if it has been tested with the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 or buy a natural no dye colour. Never forget that if the consumer is interested in these topics, apparel companies will certainly become interested too.

Other technologies exist for the future. Like this machine that allows to dye without using water or toxic products… It only dyes polyester for the moment. If you’ve read our article “Plastic Clothing Causes Microplastic Pollution”, you know what our opinion on polyester is. But, do not believe that the consumption of polyester will not go from 30 million tons to 0 overnight. Can this kind of technology help minimize the damage?

About the author Ugo Dutil: I grew up at the ecovillage “La Cite Ecologique” from 1 to 11. I decided to go back and live there when I was 25 years old. I like this way of life that allows us to prioritize human relationships over material possessions. I’ve been working with Respecterre since 2013. Minimalism and responsible consumption, especially in textiles, fascinates me.

]]>Findhorn – ECOVILLAGEhttps://respecterre.com/findhorn-ecovillage-2/?lang=en
Wed, 07 Jun 2017 20:57:57 +0000https://respecterre.com/?p=1820It was a rainy day in the fall of 2014, but rays of sunshine slowly appeared on the horizon. With a somewhat distracted ear, I listened to the rattle of the train on the rails. I had been travelling for about twelve hours, and I was beginning the last part of my trip towards northeast Scotland. Verdant hills rolled along the horizon, where herds of sheep grazed, and trees and sharp cliffs stood tall. Upon my arrival in the town of Forest, I embarked on a bus to the small maritime village of Findhorn nested between bay and sea, right on the sandy hills.

As you may already know, Respecterre is part of an ecovillage called “La Cité Écologique”, located in Ham-Nord. Respecterre’s owners and most of its employees live in this ecovillage, which is also home to the Respecterre boutique and dressmaking shop.

“La Cite Ecologique” is not the only example of an ecovillage, as there are several hundred similar projects around the world. Many of those have been visited by some of our residents here at La Cité. In this new series of articles, we will introduce you to these greatly inspiring alternative-living projects.

My Trip to the Findhorn Ecovillage in Scotland

It was a rainy day in the fall of 2014, but rays of sunshine slowly appeared on the horizon. With a somewhat distracted ear, I listened to the rattle of the train on the rails. I had been travelling for about twelve hours, and I was beginning the last part of my trip towards northeast Scotland. Verdant hills rolled along the horizon, where herds of sheep grazed, and trees and sharp cliffs stood tall. Upon my arrival in the town of Forest, I embarked on a bus to the small maritime village of Findhorn nested between bay and sea, right on the sandy hills.

In a crowded room, nearly 300 people gathered in the ecovillage amphitheater for the last day of the New Story Summit event. Attendees discussed the transition towards a new world where human beings would act as protectors of nature and work towards healing the environment. In this world, cultural diversity would be honored, and education, food and technology would be accessible to all, and so on. Let me add that the meeting was not all about dreaming—we exchanged best practices which have proven effective, discussed solutions, and partook in workshops for reconciliation between peoples, groups, and generations. We worked hands-on and left the event with homework and projects to concretely improve our quality of life whilst reducing our ecological footprint. Talk about motivation!

Moreover, a surprise awaited me. In the packed hall, a few familiar faces stood out. I recognized a group of friends I had met two years ago in an ecovillage in Switzerland. What a joy it was to see all these beautiful people again! Among others, there was a young lady from Korea and another from Thailand, a brother from Senegal, a young man who grew up in this ecovillage, North and South Americans… We gathered with some new friends to talk about our experiences and travels. At the end of the evening, we all walked over to the trailer park where the ecovillage was born in 1962, where we spent the night.

The next day, it was time to say goodbye to all and welcome new faces, because the EDE course was starting. This program had led me to visit this legendary ecovillage, which forms a community of about 500 people. Throughout the five weeks of training, I got the chance to experience this beautiful place. The Findhorn ecovillage, originally recognized internationally for its gardens, stands out today with its wastewater treatment system, its wind farm and its revolutionary constructions.

The secret behind the success of these lush gardens is the connection with the devas inhabiting the region. Many books and articles explain this unique relationship (see the book The Findhorn Garden). At the very start, this inspiration was guided by the three founders Eileen Caddy, Peter Caddy and Dorothy Maclean.

Today, we can admire their remarkable work and notice how they truly revitalized this plot of sandy soil. A multitude of flowers, trees and vegetable gardens have changed the place into a nurturing oasis and bird paradise.

In a large greenhouse, there is a “Living Machine” to treat wastewater. This technology uses micro-organisms in plant roots to filter water. It is a must-see and a technique which I recommend exploring. I admit to being a bit skeptical, but frankly, we see and smell the water coming out of the greenhouse and it’s impressively pure! During the course, we got the chance to experiment and build our own small filtration system!

The energy used in ecovillage comes from various renewable sources, mainly three wind turbines that are managed by a cooperative founded by the residents.

Last but not least, we could go on forever about the houses. The Findhorn ecovillage residents have tried out every concept related to green building. Here is a small list of techniques used, to name just a few: passive solar orientation, super-insulation, local materials, new cutting-edge technologies, a greenhouse on the south façade, minimalist home design, grouped dwellings, and repurposed whiskey barrels! It is true laboratory for construction enthusiasts.

In addition, there are several on-site businesses, a local money system, a fleet of shared vehicles, a school, an art center, workshops to upcycle and create objects, a community center, a collective kitchen and much more. In addition to all these beautiful, practical discoveries, we had the chance to travel thanks to the course. Written by the Gaia Education network, the program draws on achievements and solutions proposed by a multitude of international communities. The concept of sustainable development is approached under four main angles: ecological, social, economic and cultural. It’s an extremely rewarding experience!

Canada’s first EDE courses. In the summer of 2015, La Cité Écologique hosted the very first EDE course offered in French.

Today, myself and the group from La Cité Écologique are preparing to offer the 3rd edition of the EDE course in Quebec, which will begin on July 7. My wish is to inspire even one of the participants to pursue this beautiful adventure in their part of the country!

About the author Nébesna Fortin: I was born and I grew up in ecovillage La Cite Ecologique. Today I am responsible for internships, the EDE courses and guided tours at La Cite. I am also involved in the international ecovillage movement. I am a NextGEN Ambassador and I am on the board of GENNA.

]]>Whole Village – ECOVILLAGEhttps://respecterre.com/whole-village-ecovillage-2/?lang=en
Tue, 23 May 2017 19:58:20 +0000https://respecterre.com/whole-village-ecovillage/In the summer of 2013, I discovered Whole Village thanks to a series of videos on YouTube. Later that year, some “La Cité Écologique” residents went to Ontario to visit this ecovillage located about an hour’s drive north of Toronto, as a meeting was held there for the Canadian ecovillage network. A few months later, at the beginning of 2014, a resident of Whole Village at the time, Peter, came to La Cité for a short internship. We shared a living space for a few weeks and, when he left, I told him I would one day visit him at Whole Village.

As you may already know, Respecterre is part of an ecovillage called “La Cité Écologique”, located in Ham-Nord. Respecterre’s owners and most of its employees live in this ecovillage, which is also home to the Respecterre boutique and dressmaking shop.

“La Cité Écologique” is not the only example of an ecovillage, as there are several hundred similar projects around the world. Many of those have been visited by some of our residents here at La Cité. In this new series of articles, we will introduce you to these greatly inspiring alternative-living projects.

Whole Village

In the summer of 2013, I discovered Whole Village thanks to a series of videos on YouTube. Later that year, some “La Cité Écologique” residents went to Ontario to visit this ecovillage located about an hour’s drive north of Toronto, as a meeting was held there for the Canadian ecovillage network. A few months later, at the beginning of 2014, a resident of Whole Village at the time, Peter, came to La Cité for a short internship. We shared a living space for a few weeks and, when he left, I told him I would one day visit him at Whole Village.

Therefore, the following summer, I stayed at Whole Village (WV) for a weekend. I must say that for my work, I travel to Ontario every six months for about a week. Since WV is located in a central area, I could settle for a few days at the same place to visit customers in the area. I thus visited Whole Village with the intention of going back every year.

Greenhaven

What most impressed me when I arrived was the building called “Greenhaven”, which encompasses eleven apartments (or suites) connected by a collective living space and kitchen. Most of WV’s thirty residents live in this building, constructed in the early 2000s with sustainable development in mind: both in terms of materials used and of energy savings. There are about twenty skylights on the ceiling, which save electricity by allowing lights to be turned off during the day. An impressive masonry heater is set up in the dining room and heats the whole building in the winter. Furthermore, solar panels are installed outside, which provide energy for water heating.

From recycled materials to bamboo floors, everything about this house is eco-friendly. Of course, due to local by-laws prohibiting multiple-unit buildings, the founders had to cope by only installing two ovens in the whole building. It’s a bit of an inconvenience, but since most meals are cooked collectively, the ecovillage inhabitants can live with it.

Community kitchen

Dining room

Masonry Heater

Interesting people

It has now been five times that I go spend a week at Whole Village. This place makes me feel a little as if I were at home. There is an energy in the air similar to what I know here at “La Cité Écologique”. I have become well acquainted with most of the residents—every time I come back, it’s like a reunion with old friends. Although challenges recently emerged in regards to cohabitation, the ecovillage’s group of pioneers is very interesting and sympathetic. As for Peter, he has moved to a similar like-minded community in Western Canada called “Chuckleberry Community Farm”. Maybe one day, I will visit him there!

Wall painting outside of Greenhaven, by my friend Maxim Grunin

About the author Ugo Dutil: I grew up at the ecovillage “La Cite Ecologique” from 1 to 11. I decided to go back and live there when I was 25 years old. I like this way of life that allows us to prioritize human relationships over material possessions. I’ve been working with Respecterre since 2013. Voluntary simplicity and responsible consumption, especially in textiles, fascinates me.

]]>La Cité Écologique – ECOVILLAGEhttps://respecterre.com/cite-ecologique-ecovillage/?lang=en
Mon, 22 May 2017 13:41:22 +0000https://respecterre.com/cite-ecologique-ecovillage/In my opinion, the biggest difference between our ecovillage and other similar places would be our financial independence. Although we are not self-sufficient in terms of food and do not live off the grid, those are goals we could meet in the long run. For now, all of us work for a company that belongs to La Cité Écologique’s residents. From the beginning, we have been working hard for companies that are now flourishing. This level of entrepreneurship is often less developed in ecovillages which focus solely on sustainable development. Yes, ecology is a priority, but we have found a balance between sustainable and economic development.

As you may already know, Respecterre is part of an ecovillage called “La Cité Écologique,” located in Ham-Nord. Respecterre’s owners and most of its employees live in this ecovillage, which is also home to the Boutique Respecterre dressmaking shop.

“La Cité Écologique” is not the only example of an ecovillage; there are several hundreds of similar projects around the world. Many of those have been visited by some of our residents here at La Cité. In this new series of articles, we will introduce you to these greatly inspiring alternative-living projects.

La Cité Écologique

Ever since my early childhood, I grew up in La Cité Écologique, in an environment designed for children. It started out as an educational project that brought many together, at the edge of 8e Rang in Ham-Nord. We knew in our minds that to bring about real change in this world, we must start by changing the way children are educated. Organic food and respect for nature go hand in hand with our pedagogical philosophy, which requires the active involvement of all parents, teachers and educators. Thus, the ecovillage project began around education in 1983-84.

Today, about 80 residents, both adult and children, live in La Cité Écologique. Our agriculture initiative called “La Ferme Bio Maraîchère” allows us to grow a lot of our vegetables, and we set up a purchase group to buy organic food at wholesale prices. We have been composting our organic waste from the beginning, Furthermore, we share cars and housing, work on site, and much more.

In my opinion, the biggest difference between our ecovillage and other similar places would be our financial independence. Although we are not self-sufficient in terms of food and do not live off the grid, those are goals we could meet in the long run. For now, all of us work for a company that belongs to La Cité Écologique’s residents. From the beginning, we have been working hard for companies that are now flourishing. This level of entrepreneurship is often less developed in ecovillages which focus solely on sustainable development. Yes, ecology is a priority, but we have found a balance between sustainable and economic development.

Here is another interesting, yet little-known topic: there is a second La Cité Écologique in New Hampshire, founded in 2003 in Colebrook, New Hampshire, United States. It is located approximately two hours by car from Ham-Nord, Quebec, Canada. Primarily to have a foothold for the company Kheops International, some thirty residents from La Cité in Ham-Nord settled down in the United States. The ecovillage offers on-site schooling, organic farming, collective living spaces, and purchase groups, and is financially independent. People have adopted the same life principles at this second Cité Écologique, and since its inception, both ecovillages have supported each other.

I think, the greatest strength of this community is the relationship of trust and friendship between individuals. We could refer to it as the “social fabric.” From the beginning, we have been working consciously on this aspect of community life. We’re not all necessarily friends, and there are sometimes conflicts. However, we share a strong sense of belonging, which makes us feel as united as one “big family.” It is actually the term we use to refer to the community as a whole.

What would remain to be developed at La Cité Écologique? We have yet to explore eco-friendly building practises. For the time being, all residential, commercial and agricultural buildings have been built using conventional methods. Last year, we built a greenhouse inspired by Earthships, with passive solar heating and aquaponic culture. This was really our first construction project striving towards sustainable development. I believe that the second and third generation have a firm intention to further look into green buildings.

About the author Ugo Dutil: I grew up at the ecovillage “La Cite Ecologique” from 1 to 11. I decided to go back and live there when I was 25 years old. I like this way of life that allows us to prioritize human relationships over material possessions. I’ve been working with Respecterre since 2013. Voluntary simplicity and responsible consumption, especially in textiles, fascinates me.

]]>Huehuecoyotl – ECOVILLAGEhttps://respecterre.com/huehuecoyotl-ecovillage-2/?lang=en
Fri, 14 Apr 2017 13:30:41 +0000https://respecterre.com/huehuecoyotl-ecovillage/In 2013, I flew to Mexico with the intent of working on different farms and ecological sites. After spending two months on a construction project with organic materials, building an igloo-shaped house out of adobe, I decided to look for another project. This is when I came across the Huehuecoyotl ecovillage site. It was the first time I heard the word “ecovillage”, which sparked my curiosity right away. Hence, I contacted one of the members and agreed to spend the next two months there.

As you may already know, Respecterre is part of an ecovillage called “La Cité Écologique”, located in Ham-Nord. Respecterre’s owners and most of its employees live in this ecovillage, which is also home to the Respecterre boutique and dressmaking shop.

“La Cité Écologique” is not the only example of an ecovillage, as there are several hundred similar projects around the world. Many of those have been visited by some of our residents here at La Cité. In this new series of articles, we will introduce you to these greatly inspiring alternative-living projects.

Huehuecoyotl—an Ecovillage in the Magnificent Mountains of Mexico

In 2013, I flew to Mexico with the intent of working on different farms and ecological sites. After spending two months on a construction project with organic materials, building an igloo-shaped house out of adobe, I decided to look for another project. This is when I came across the Huehuecoyotl ecovillage site. It was the first time I heard the word “ecovillage”, which sparked my curiosity right away. Hence, I contacted one of the members and agreed to spend the next two months there.

The site was an hour and a half away from Mexico City, the capital of Mexico and the most densely populated city in the Americas. I could hardly believe I was now in the high mountains of Morelos, in an environment strongly contrasting the urban jungle. A sign reading “Huehuecoyotl” greets us at the entrance, which means “the old coyote” in Nahuatl. I walked quietly, with my knapsack on my back, towards my host Tona’s house. The four-hectare estate on the mountainside was graced by a dozen houses, built ecologically and esthetically. Tona’s house was the last one, but also the most impressive of all! Decidedly designed by an artist, it was also surrounded by luxuriant vegetation, which grows all year long in Mexico!

Throughout the following weeks, I adopted her daily routine, also shared by the other members. I took care of the chickens and rabbits, tended her garden, learned the art of harvesting and processing coffee, and carried out many maintenance chores. I also had the chance to hear her tell me the story of their community. At the time, the residents were a traveling theater company, the Illuminated Elephants! Coming from all over the world, they traveled internationally in their bus to raise citizens’ awareness in regards to ecology and humanism. One day, on a trip to Mexico, they stumbled upon the village of Tepoztlán. Characterized by strong Indigenous traditions and marked by struggles and claims for the survival of their people and sacred grounds, this place quickly resonated with the travelers. In their search of a place to put down their suitcases and take a break from the nomadic life, they had discovered the mystical land of Huehuecoyotl.

The community was founded in 1982 and will celebrate its 35th anniversary this year. Formerly a group of young hippies, they now describe themselves as old coyotes! Years have gone by and they are mostly grandparents. What makes me a little sad is that they could not pass on their lifestyle to the next generations; in fact, a majority of their children and grandchildren have settled down elsewhere. The ecovillage is mostly inhabited by 70-year-old coyotes, along with a few young people who are mainly visitors, renting a house or part of a house. It is true that educating children and giving them a place to live is not the easiest thing, but the current age gap makes the community’s future uncertain.

How unfortunate, since the energy you feel whilst staying there is refreshing and soothing. The members have built ecological, innovative and beautiful homes and facilities. They are also very relatable individuals, with fascinating stories and life experiences. Ecology, social and art are their main values and are well represented at their ecovillage.

I can only thank them for this experience, because it made me discover the world of ecovillages and led me, upon returning to Quebec, to find another similar place that has been my home for the past three years. Maybe one day I’ll celebrate my 35th anniversary here!

About the Author Charles Marceau-Cotton: With just a little more than a year of life in the ecovillage “La Cite Ecologique”, I’m the new room! Setting foot in such a community, and above all decide to settle here has its share of great moments but also challenges of all kinds. I therefore propose, through these texts, my views on various aspects of community life and personal observations of the gap that sometimes exists between the “mainstream” life and the ecovillage life .

]]>Giving a Voice to the Workers: Interview with Ugohttps://respecterre.com/giving-a-voice-to-the-workers-interview-with-ugo/?lang=en
Fri, 24 Mar 2017 03:50:05 +0000https://respecterre.com/?p=1621I am in charge of Sales and Marketing and am the client contact for sales. Basically, this involves selling our collections to shops every six months, developing new markets, and nurturing relationships with clients. I also respond to corporate requests, in which businesses ask us to sew garments bearing their logo. Those include Radio-Canada, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and some spas.

In terms of marketing, I take care of creating catalogues for our collections, thinking up posters, and designing new undergarment boxes. I also manage the Respecterre website—that includes implementation and maintenance, newsletter and blog post writing, and promotion for our apparel.

– Ugo, what is your current role with Respecterre? What tasks do you perform on a daily basis?

I am in charge of Sales and Marketing and am the client contact for sales. Basically, this involves selling our collections to shops every six months, developing new markets, and nurturing relationships with clients. I also respond to corporate requests, in which businesses ask us to sew garments bearing their logo. Those include Radio-Canada, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and some spas.

In terms of marketing, I take care of creating catalogues for our collections, thinking up posters, and designing new undergarment boxes. I also manage the Respecterre website—that includes implementation and maintenance, newsletter and blog post writing, and promotion for our apparel.

I also work as company manager, taking the reins to steer Respecterre in the right direction. For example, I organize associate meetings. Essentially, all business development issues are generally routed through my office.

– You are a newcomer to Respecterre. What led you to your current position?

At first, I was practically supposed to be an observer, nothing more (!). At the time, I was going to help with the online shop and support Karen in some of her duties. However, Respecterre was growing and its staff was undergoing changes. Slowly but surely, I started to get involved more and more in sales and business development. As with most jobs in life, it’s important to get acknowledged with the work environment and carve a niche for yourself!

– What do you like best about your work?

Above all, I like being creative, e.g. designing graphics for the website or marketing campaigns. I also love to popularize information. In our industry, a large amount of information remains undisclosed or shared as half-truths. Hence, I like to search for accurate information, so that I can explain to consumers what they’re buying. This way, they can make informed purchases!

Twice a year, I visit retailers throughout Canada. I really enjoy these trips and encounters with our clients.

– Which personal or professional quality are you most proud of having developed through your work in this sector?

My sense of organization when it comes to my tasks, schedules and follow-ups with clients. This is very important in order to be efficient while keeping your cool!

– You work in an especially difficult and competitive industry, which requires great strength, high motivation and certain specific values. What are yours? How do you express these values through Respecterre and its development?

My motivation is much strengthened by the fact that we’re offering citizens an alternative to the second most polluting industry in the world. Also, we’re giving consumers the option to purchase their clothing in a responsible manner. Last but not least, everyone has to earn a living, and I think my work with Respecterre is a nice way of doing this.

– Everything isn’t always easy in life, and your job is full of challenges. What is the greatest difficulty or frustration for you?

Working in sales is very challenging and requires an exceptional amount of perseverance and commitment. The clothing industry is highly competitive—and yes, this even includes the eco-friendly clothing niche. Doing business with retailers is like walking on a tightrope: the market is volatile, so many shops close down or have trouble paying us. Opening up our market often seems like an impossible mission. Up until now, the clients we have won over are only making up for the ones we lose. Also, the clothing industry makes it difficult for us to expand because our clothing lines only provide for a small niche; not all shops are after what we offer, even eco-friendly ones.

We also strive to advocate sustainable development, yet sometimes we bump into obstacles. For example, finding a supply of natural fabrics in small quantities is quite the challenge. Most suppliers sell non-organic or synthetic fabrics in large amounts, which only big brands can afford to buy.

Another annoying aspect of my work is that even now, very few individuals are aware of all the steps involved in making a garment. There’s fibre production, transformation of those fibres into thread and fabric, design and sewing, as well as transportation and sales. Many people are involved in these steps. In the conventional clothing industry, worker rights are often disrespected: think of pesticides sprayed on fibre crops or dyes used during fabric production. This process also has heavy consequences on the environment. People sometimes have trouble understanding their seven-dollar T-shirt and seventeen-dollar jeans come from the exploitation of several people and are damaging to our planet.

Much work has yet to be done to popularize this information and share it with consumers in order to help them make conscious choices.

– Is there a specific aspect of your work that you would like people to know?

I work at Respecterre with my mother Noëlline and my sister Karen, which is a great privilege every day!

– Recently, you have developed the logo “Made in an Ecovillage” which appears on Respecterre clothing tags. Can you tell us its meaning and purpose?

This logo represents the whole concept behind Respecterre, which people don’t really know about! We are not like most other businesses who serve the interests of a single person. On the contrary, we are a team of associates who use our profits and wages to support a community aiming to change the world through better education of youth and development of a sustainable and fair-trade lifestyle in every aspect.

To be completely honest, this logo also serves a very precise marketing purpose: standing out from our competition. In a way, our only option is to convince people to buy clothes based on their ecological value. On one hand, if we cannot convince consumers of the importance of such a choice, our company would not be profitable enough to survive on the market in the long term. On the other hand, if everybody starts buying eco-friendly clothes in the next few years, which would be great news, we would lose business to large corporations. We need to stand out.

But in the end, who else can boast about living less than one kilometre from their work and their children’s school, to enjoy family lunches every day, to grow their own vegetables and make their own compost, and to make some of their clothes? Supporting Respecterre also means supporting an ecovillage: in other words, a lifestyle.

– What are your dreams for Respecterre and for the industry in which you work?

My biggest wish would be to participate in the development of hemp and flax fabrics made in Canada, as well as the development of clay-based dyes. By doing so, we would go up a notch when it comes to sustainability, as our clothes would be 100% local! However, we have to wait for changes regarding industrial hemp laws, which are in the works. The federal government just has to make a decision. Also, I must admit that despite the possibility of growing hemp in Canada, there’s still one even more significant challenge—finding a way to convert the fiber into thread and fabric. We lost this ability over the 20th century due to stigmatization of hemp; hence, to this day, all the expertise to transform hemp fiber is located in China.

I would also like to help boost Respecterre’s sales figure, in order for our team to earn a decent minimum wage. We succeeded in creating a well-established alternative business, yet our costs are very high. Our survival is due to the low salary accepted by all our associates. In this sense, it would be a great reward for our very committed workers to one day earn some more well-deserved money.

– What is your favourite Respecterre clothing or fibre, and why?

I love the Maheo Bermuda shorts. The fabric is made from a hemp and organic cotton blend… it’s wonderful!

– Work isn’t everything in life. Do you have a passion or interest that motivates you in your personal life?

For sure! There’s music (both listening to it and playing piano), as well as personal development in all areas of my life.

– Give me a word or sentence that represents you well.

Developing something simple can get quite complicated!

About the Author Charles Marceau-Cotton: With just a little more than a year of life in the ecovillage “La Cite Ecologique”, I’m the new room! Setting foot in such a community, and above all decide to settle here has its share of great moments but also challenges of all kinds. I therefore propose, through these texts, my views on various aspects of community life and personal observations of the gap that sometimes exists between the “mainstream” life and the ecovillage life .

]]>Giving a voice to the workers : Interview with Lisettehttps://respecterre.com/giving-a-voice-to-the-workers-interview-with-lizette/?lang=en
Sun, 05 Feb 2017 14:41:02 +0000https://respecterre.com/?p=1424&lang=enToday we continue our series of interviews with Respecterre employees, who give you an inside look at the ecological, local and ethical world of fashion. We invite you to discover Lisette, a woman with great experience in the field of clothing making. But above all, a cheerful woman, who thrives in life and enjoys every moment.

Today, we continue our series of interviews with Respecterre employees, who offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the eco-friendly, local and ethical fashion world. You’ll get to meet Lisette, a woman with great experience in the field of dressmaking. Above all, she is a cheerful woman, a go-getter who enjoys every moment in life.

– Lisette, what is your current role in Respecterre? What tasks do you perform on a daily basis?

I am a seamstress, which means that I operate sewing machines, mainly plain and overlock types. Now, this probably does not mean anything for most people! Basically, these are the two most common types of machines in the sewing industry.

– You are a newcomer to Respecterre, but you have extensive experience in sewing. Can you give us an outline of your career path?

I started out in the sewing industry in 1973; at the time, I had no experience at all. I really started from the ground up. During the first 11 years, the basics of my work were limited to operating a plain-type single machine. But that allowed me to make a name for myself. In 1984, me and my husband were given the opportunity to run a sewing factory in the country, near where we already lived. It was quite a challenge for us, both professionally and for our relationship! After thinking about it, we accepted to take on the challenge and establish some rules: my husband would take care of the beginning of the chain and sort out bundles (he’d distribute the different pieces of a garment to be sewn together), and I would be the forewoman, supervising the seamstresses as well as every manufacturing operation. Later on, he would conclude the production chain by inspecting and delivering clothes. That journey lasted 25 years! And we went through some difficulties—I had to learn to use all the machines used in a sewing workshop in order to teach the new employees. Also, my husband and I were always together, because we worked and lived together, and also took care of educating our three children. Yet today we are still together, and these challenges have made us stronger! In 2015, I joined the Respecterre team as a seamstress. I am happy to bring my experience without all the pressure and responsibilities of being forewoman.

– The conventional fashion environment is generally very competitive, very demanding for employees, and unsustainable. Since you have worked for several years in the industry, what differences did you notice between the conventional fashion business and your current workplace?

To be honest, apart from the ecological side, working in a conventional environment is quite similar to working for Respecterre. No matter where you are, the fashion world is very competitive and fast paced. In order to achieve a certain level of profitability, we have to produce clothing under tight deadlines. In this sense, dressmaking methods and delivery dates are the same at Respecterre as they were at my old work. However, what sets Respecterre apart from the conventional environment is the ecological aspect and distinct routine. Respecterre uses natural-fibre fabrics with much more natural dyes, thus protecting the health of both workers and customers. What’s more, as the company offers a fairly wide range of products, so we perform more diversified and less routine work. This small detail makes a big difference!

– What do you like most about your work?

Throughout my career, the pressure of schedules has prompted production-line work, which limited us to performing the same operation repeatedly. Today, at Respecterre, I’m able to sew different styles of garments from beginning to end. This is what I prefer when working with machines. I also have the chance to be in an open and innovative environment, and the human contact brings me a lot. I am fortunate not only to share my experience, but also to continuously learn from others—teamwork is our strength and brings us a good dose of motivation. The sewing profession requires patience and a desire to learn, and the atmosphere here is perfectly adapted to this!

– Which personal or professional quality are you most proud of having developed through your work in this sector?

A good number of people think we do a boring and repetitive job. What I tell them is that no matter what work you do, it’s your attitude that makes the difference. Personally, I do not think it’s routine: we change machines, fabrics, and styles. We have fun challenging ourselves every day: successfully making a new style, achieving a specific goal, and so on. This ability to maintain a good mood and a positive attitude is probably what I am most proud of having developed and applied throughout my career and life in general. Every day, we face difficulties and pitfalls… we must be able to overcome them!

– Respecterre is part of an ecovillage. What does this mean to you? What do you think of the link between the company, the ecovillage and the neighboring community?

The fact that Respecterre is part of an ecovillage is in line with the company’s awareness of waste and excess chemicals in clothes and products we use on a daily basis. The ecovillage is becoming more and more involved with the municipality of Ham-Nord, which allows the surrounding community to know more about it, to discover people of incredible kindness, and to break down several prejudices associated with ecovillage lifestyle (e.g. Yes, residents have the freedom to go out into the world!). Events open to visitors like open houses, guided tours, and internships are a good opportunity to become aware of what’s happening in this environment and in their various businesses. They give people a chance to come and discover the Respecterre artists, their workplace and their life!

– I guess that professional dreams evolve with years of experience and become more focused on specific desires. Are there any specific projects you hold close and would like to see develop in the coming years?

My wish for the years to come is not extravagant or exceptional. However, it is sincere: all I want is to be able to continue working for a long time at Respecterre, because I love the working atmosphere and the dynamism there!

– What is your favourite Respecterre garment or fiber? Why?

My favourite garment is the Rosanna tunic. My favorite fibers are bamboo and hemp: they are soft on the body and are easy to sew!

– Do you have a passion or special interest that motivates you in your personal life?

Apart from my work (which fascinates me and nourishes me), I like reading a lot. When it comes to relationships, my children and my grandchildren are what matter most to me.

– To conclude, which word or sentence represents you well?

I am a smiling person. I’m almost always in a cheerful mood!

About the Author Charles Marceau-Cotton: With just a little more than a year of life in the ecovillage “La Cite Ecologique”, I’m the new room! Setting foot in such a community, and above all decide to settle here has its share of great moments but also challenges of all kinds. I therefore propose, through these texts, my views on various aspects of community life and personal observations of the gap that sometimes exists between the “mainstream” life and the ecovillage life .

]]>What’s project 333 ?https://respecterre.com/whats-project-333/?lang=en
Sun, 15 Jan 2017 19:47:57 +0000https://respecterre.com/quest-ce-que-le-projet-333/You may have heard about the project (or challenge) 333. In a spirit of minimalism and responsible consumption some people take on the challenge to only use 33 articles of clothes, jewelry and accessories for a period of 3 months. The purpose of this project is to become aware of our behavior towards of fashion, to use less and to find out what we really need. Also, see if there is really a difference in how we feel and how others perceive us with a smaller wardrobe.

You may have heard about Project 333. In a spirit of minimalism and responsible consumption, some people take on the challenge to only use 33 articles of clothing, jewelry and accessories for 3 months. The purpose of this project is to become aware of our behaviour in regards to fashion, use less, and find out what we really need. Also, it helps us see if there is really a difference in how we feel and how others perceive us with a smaller wardrobe.

The story

In 2010, the minimalist blogger Courtney Carver published on her site bemorewithless.com the article “How to Simplify your Closet”. The initial idea was to simplify her wardrobe to the maximum. This involves emptying the closet and putting everything on the bed, then asking the following questions for each piece:

Does it fit me right now?

Do I love it?

Is it in good condition?

Does it speak to my be more with less lifestyle?

Courtney Carver, minimalism blogger

If the piece of clothing receives a “yes” to each of these four questions, keep it. If not, donate it. The blogger explained she was very satisfied after completing this project in a day. She planned to do another clean-up at the end of June, three months later. Thus is born project 333, confirmed a little later with the article “Minimalist Fashion Project 333 Begins.” Three months in, none of her coworkers noticed that she’d only been using 33 items. For someone who used to dream about a big, beautiful walk-in closet to hold more stuff, her closet now looked bare, simple and surprisingly, inspiring. She could have stored everything without even owning a closet. Carver felt much happier and planned on repeating the experience every three months. A year in, no one noticed.

Five years later, in 2015, CNN broadcasted Courtney Carver’ story on their website: “Declutter your wardrobe: Lessons from people who’ve done it.” They report that over the past five years, the blogger only kept 33 clothes and accessories in her wardrobe for every three-month period. It brought the movement, already embraced by several Internet users, to the general public.

Even if everything seems to have gone too far in the fashion world, this new social phenomenon is gaining momentum and contradicts the dominant mainstream “fast fashion” philosophy. (Yeah, I know, I just said fast fashion was a philosophy…) You just have to search the Internet to discover dozens of bloggers who practice Project 333.

If you are like me, by now, you have certainly asked yourself the following question: “If I own 10 pairs of underwear plus 10 pairs of socks, for a sum of 20 items, how is it possible to keep a limit of 33?” Well, there are some rules that ensure that functional items are not included in this count (from the website https://bemorewithless.com/project-333/):

The rules

When : Every three months (It’s never too late to start so join in anytime!)

What not : these items are not counted as part of the 33 items – wedding ring, underwear, sleep, in-home lounge wear, and workout clothing (you can only wear your workout clothing to workout)

How : Choose your 33 items, box up the remainder of your fashion statement, seal it with tape and put it out of sight.

What else : consider that you are creating a wardrobe that you can live, work and play in for three months. If you purchase items for project 333, stick with the one in, two out approach. Consider the essentials and stick to 33.

Of all existing blog posts on the Internet about Project 333, a good proportion are from women who love fashion a lot and who had a jam-packed wardrobe before. No need to be a monk or a minimalist to take on Project 333. On the contrary, this challenge is made for those who love fashion. Adding this constraint pushes you to be more creative and versatile with each chosen item. The project is about style and fashion, as well as responsible consumption: a true balance between fashion and sustainable development. It’s inspiring.

Are you ready for Project 333?

About the author Ugo Dutil: I grew up at the ecovillage “La Cite Ecologique” from 1 to 11. I decided to go back and live there when I was 25 years old. I like this way of life that allows us to prioritize human relationships over material possessions. I’ve been working with Respecterre since 2013. Voluntary simplicity and responsible consumption, especially in textiles, fascinates me.